Palma old town — one of the finest historic centres in the Mediterranean

Palma Guide

Palma Old Town: The Complete Walking Guide to Palma's Historic Centre

The Palma old town — known locally as the Casc Antic — is one of the great historic city centres of the Mediterranean. Built on the foundations of a Roman city, shaped by Moorish rule, transformed by the medieval Christian kingdom, and preserved with extraordinary care into the 21st century, it rewards exploration on foot more than almost anywhere else in Spain.

This walking guide covers the essential sights of Palma old town — with honest notes on what to see, what to skip, and where to eat before or after your walk.

Palma Old Town — Overview

Palma old town is compact enough to walk in a day but rich enough to reward multiple visits. The historic centre runs from the seafront up to the Plaça Major and beyond — a roughly rectangular area that contains most of the city's major monuments, best restaurants, and finest streets. According to Wikipedia, Palma has one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Spain.

La Seu Cathedral

La Seu is the defining monument of Palma old town — a Gothic cathedral of extraordinary scale and beauty, begun in 1229 on the site of the main mosque following the Christian reconquest. The interior is one of the tallest Gothic spaces in Europe, and the enormous rose window above the altar fills the nave with extraordinary coloured light on winter mornings. Go at 08:30 before the tourist groups arrive.

The Almudaina Palace

Directly opposite La Seu, the Almudaina Palace was originally an Arab fortress, later converted into a Gothic royal palace by the medieval Kings of Mallorca. It remains a royal residence today — still used by the Spanish royal family during official visits. The interior, accessible by guided tour, contains Gothic state rooms and Moorish architectural elements side by side.

The Arab Baths

The Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) in the Casc Antic are among the finest Moorish structures in Spain — a 10th-century hammam with a domed ceiling supported by columns with mismatched capitals (typical of the pragmatic Arab practice of reusing Roman and Visigothic stone). The garden outside is a remarkably peaceful retreat. Entry €2.50.

Hidden Streets and Courtyards

The best of Palma old town is often found off the main tourist routes. The area around Carrer de Can Savellà, the courtyards (patios) of the patrician houses on Carrer del Conqueridor, and the streets east of the Almudaina are all worth exploring without a map. Many of Palma's finest houses have large interior courtyards — some open to the public, some glimpsed through heavy wooden doors.

Mercat de l'Olivar

Mercat de l'Olivar sits just outside the old town proper — a short walk from the Plaça Major — and is the best single place in Palma to buy local food. More than 100 stalls sell fresh fish, meat, cheese, and produce. Olivar Bistro inside the market is one of the finest restaurants in the city for fresh Mediterranean cuisine.

Where to Eat Near Palma Old Town

For Mediterranean cuisine, Olivar Bistro at Mercat de l'Olivar is the benchmark. For authentic Turkish food — halal-friendly, everything homemade — Maka Istanbul on Carrer de Francesc Suau is a short taxi from the old town and one of the most distinctive dining experiences in Palma.

Frequently Asked Questions